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Copyright © Fire4 2008. All rights reserved.
Fire4 is not responsible for the accuracy of the information presented in
this document and does not accept liability for any errors that might
occur. Please consult a network design specialist to prepare detailed
technical specifications for your wireless Internet hot spot project design.
Fire4 Technology Primer
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Copyright © Fire4 2008. All rights reserved
Technology Primer
What we offer
Our customers are businesses who offer Internet access to the public. Most of our customers
are in the hospitality industry: resorts, hotels and marinas. We also have customers who need
the type of service we offer as part of their business model: events such as trade shows, art
exhibitions and flea markets offer wireless Internet to booths and traders who require the
Internet connection to process credit card transactions.
We provide a complete technology package for any business that wants to offer Internet
access to the public. We provide hardware products, routers and wireless access points, and
we provide the software that manages the system.
High performance hardware products: routers and wireless access points
Software for billing via scratch cards, credit cards and authenticated free access
Fully customizable login screens that can include data capture and advertising
Failure monitoring of any device with email alarm generation
Remote access to any device to modify the configuration
User bandwidth management with 2-tier access (free slow service, charged fast service)
Comprehensive report generation for usage and billing
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Technology Primer
How we deliver our products
We provide our customers with all the hardware and software products that they need to
provide both wired and wireless Internet for the public. Our products are scalable and are used
by businesses that range from a South Beach restaurant to a global managed group of resorts.
We do not sell our software, we provide Software as a Service (SaaS). Our clients use our
servers to manage their guest Internet networks. Our SaaS solution provides two significant
benefits for our customers;
Our solution is truly plug and play, our clients have no servers to configure and simply
connect client side devices and register them with our server.
Our clients minimize their initial investment; only client side devices (routers and
wireless access points) must be purchased
Customers who wish to charge for Internet services are provided with billing options by our
software. The majority of our customers however give free Internet as a business
differentiator and so our software helps them to make money through new revenue streams
and helps them increase business performance through enhanced customer loyalty.
In addition to revenue related features, our software provides a carrier grade solution using
low cost products because we develop the firmware installed on client side devices.
Features include failure monitoring with trouble ticket initiation, and remote device
management with redundant configuration support.
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Technology Primer
Product development history
In 2003 we began developing a billing and operations support system software for wireless
Internet providers based on cellular industry back office systems technology.
Our products began shipping at the beginning of 2005. Our software and network solutions
were adopted by many types of businesses, including hotels, resort management companies
and marinas.
Many customers gave us their feedback about the first generation system and we began
working on a second generation system in 2007 with new specifications based on customer
‘wish lists’. The timeline for the second generation product development process is shown in
the diagram.
The second generation of our software went into production in January 2009 after a long beta-
testing period.
Second
Generation
Roadmap
September 08
December 08
Firmware v2 installed on
Senao 3220
Beta I released to selected
customers
Beta II launch to selected
customers
Firmware installed on Senao
2610, and Ubiquiti Nanostation
Firmware installed on other
Senao and Ubiquiti devices
Production release
March 08
April 08
October 08
January 09BETA I BETA II
Production
system
Product development
started 2007
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Technology Primer
We provide software for Internet providers and other businesses that offer Internet access
services to the public. Our Billing and Operational Support Systems (B/OSS) software was
developed specifically to meet the needs of public Internet providers. Because we provide
software as a service (SaaS) our customers have no upfront software investment costs.
Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs)
Resorts: wireless, kiosks, rooms
Hotels: rooms, conference areas, business centers, wireless
Trade shows: wireless for exhibitors and visitors, wired booths
Marinas: wireless internet
Internet cafes: wired kiosks, wireless
RV parks: wireless internet
Product overview
Our clients provide Internet, travel, hospitality, event management and other services:
Credit card
clearing bankFire4
servers
Laptop computer
Wireless
Internet
Wired Internet
Laptop computer
Laptop computer
Laptop computer
Users
Users
Internet
provider
network
management
Internet
Laptop computer
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Technology Primer
System components
InternetFirewall
Gigabit network
High availability server platformT3
Laptop computer
Router
Usage and billing reports
Managed devices
Manageddevices
Fire4 Servers
Our software system has two components.
Each of our
customers has an
account on our
servers.
When a customer
wants to install a new
device in the account
then the device ID is
entered to register
the device with the
server account.
No other
configuration is
required.
The server software is hosted on our servers. All our customers log in to these servers to
manage their network devices.
Our firmware is installed in each client side device. Devices that we offer include routers
and wireless access points. We also provide custom products for special applications
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Technology Primer
Fire4 software is a Billing and Operational Support System (B/OSS) that has been developed
specifically for businesses providing wireless Internet for guests and visitors (Hot Spots),
Broadband Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs).
The Fire4 software system is provided as a service to subscribers (SaaS) eliminating software
purchase investments.
The system architecture is 2-tier, the top tier resides on our servers, and the bottom tier
resides on each network device as resident firmware.
System architecture
Each Fire4 subscriber can attach any device that has Fire4 firmware installed. Our software
provides ‘carrier grade’ performance at an extremely low cost.
Fire4 Billing and
Operational
Support System
Architecture
Multi-serverdatabase
Network Product Firmware
User authentication
Status
QueryData base
backup/restoreConfiguration management
Security management
Captive portal
Bandwidth
management
Data abstraction
Data management
Dashboard system status
Customer
authentication and access provisioning
Splash page
management & banner advertising
Reporting
traffic stats and billing
Failure
monitor and trouble ticket generation
Network
inventory node / group management
Customer
bandwidth control and fair usage
Customer
billing & CCpayment processing
Multi-client / multi server environment
Fire4 Software as a Service (SaaS) Web Interface
Gateway
Multi-serverdatabase
Network Product Firmware
User authentication
Status
QueryData base
backup/restoreConfiguration management
Security management
Captive portal
Bandwidth
management
Data abstraction
Data management
Dashboard system status
Customer
authentication and access provisioning
Splash page
management & banner advertising
Reporting
traffic stats and billing
Failure
monitor and trouble ticket generation
Network
inventory node / group management
Customer
bandwidth control and fair usage
Customer
billing & CCpayment processing
Multi-client / multi server environment
Fire4 Software as a Service (SaaS) Web Interface
Gateway
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Copyright © Fire4 2008. All rights reserved
Technology Primer
Registering a new product with the
subscribers account
Our customers create a new subscription account when they connect their first product.
Subsequent products that customers purchase are registered to the same account. All Fire4
products are shipped with an activation code printed on the product. The customer should
open the account NETWORK DEVICE menu entry and then click on ADD DEVICE. The
device activation code is then entered into the box provided.
Advertising:Banners on splash pages
Click-through to advertisers site
Monitoring:Real time failure monitoring
Configure for each node
Trouble ticket for network manager
Work order text message to field
technician
Management:Central management of nodes and
groups
Traffic stats reporting
Billing system reporting
Internet provider console:Virtual Network Operations Center
(vNOC)
Fire4 server system subscription service features
FIRST YEAR SUBSCRIPTION FEE IS INCLUDED WITH EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
Basic Billing:Authentication via Fire4 servers
Download access codes to print
Resell pre-pay scratch cards
Customization:Splash pages
Web site links
Custom pre-pay scratch cardsInternet provider console:Access billing, monitoring and
device management functions
via a browser graphic interface:
Bandwidth:Control of user bandwidth via
access codes
Set the download/upload speed of
each code and change dynamically
Advanced Billing:Authentication via Fire4 servers
Credit card billing
Periodic accounting
Wholesale billing
DSL
reports
Laptop computer
Laptop computer
Internet
users
Register Fire4 Device
activation code
Hot Spot
Management
All Fire4 products are available through
resellers and include the cost of the first
year subscription service with the price
of the product. The device subscription
is renewed yearly by the purchase of a
subscription token from any of our
resellers. Please consult our resellers
for product and subscription prices
Internet
Fire4 Server
DSL
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Technology Primer
Server account functionality
AAA: Authentication, Authorization (access control), and Accounting
Access control: Access code limit Internet to authorized users
Captive portal: Redirect user access to a custom login page
Custom Branding: Design custom login pages and include advertising
Billing: Payment methods include scratch cards and credit cards
Free access: advertising and collection of user information
Reporting: Download billing and network usage reports
Remote management: Centrally manage all network devices
Failure alarm: Instant alerts about problems with network devices
Bandwidth throttling: Traffic shaping & limiting controlled by billing
Easy deployment: Plug 'n play network roll out, no server configuration
Inexpensive: Operating costs start low scale with the growing network
Easily outsourced: Great tool for IT providers who support hospitality clients
Our server software provides the functionality that any type of business will need to provide
Internet access to the public. The majority of customers are hospitality businesses however
other businesses such as flea markets and trade shows also use our software to provide
wireless Internet. Key functional features are listed below.
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Technology Primer
Authentication, Authorization, and
Accounting (AAA)
A large part of the Fire4 server software is dedicated to Authentication, Authorization, and
Accounting (AAA). In addition functions of device monitoring with trouble ticket initiation,
remote device management, reporting and captive portal customization are added to the
system.
Authentication: the process where the network device verifies the users right to access
the network using an access code that is passed to the server for verification.
Authorization (Access Control): applies the system access policy implemented by the
network device to determine whether an access requests from the user shall be granted
or rejected. Access control codes are based on restrictions, such as duration of permitted
access, physical location restrictions, restrictions against multiple logins by the same
entity or user, IP address filtering, bandwidth control/traffic management, and optionally
compulsory tunneling to a specific endpoint.
Accounting: is the tracking of the consumption of network resources by users. This
information is used for management, planning and billing. The information is available to
the account holder in the form of reports. The accounting is real-time which means that
accounting information that is delivered concurrently with the consumption of the
resources. Information that is gathered includes the user MAC address, the nature of the
service delivered, when the service began, and when it ended. Accounting information is
maintained on our servers for a minimum of two years in accordance with laws of the
member countries of the European Union.
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Technology Primer
Captive portal
The captive portal is a mechanism to redirect the hot spot user to a login page (the splash
page) the first time that a user attempts to access any Web site.
The login page can be one of our library pages or a custom designed series of pages. The
login page requests the user to enter a code. If credit card billing has been configured the user
can purchase access time.
The disclaimer mode permits free access when the user has agreed to the terms and
conditions. The disclaimer mode can also be used to collect information from the user in return
for the free access. The disclaimer mode also has a timer that determines how long users are
permitted access to the Internet: this is a feature for coffee bars that want to avoid becoming
free office space.
All modes can include
advertising that is
commercialized by the
wireless Internet provider.
The captive portal provides
a log-in box to enter the
access code or a box to
enter credit card
information if that option is
chosen. The captive portal
also provides a disclaimer
box if that mode is chosen.
Captive Portal
Re-direction to
log-in page
Laptop computer
Internet
provider
customer
InternetInternet
provider
access
point
Log-in
page
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Technology Primer
Custom splash (login) page design
Internet providers and hot spot operators can customize several aspects of the Fire4 system to
display a business identity for the Internet providers clients. In addition to the login page
design the Internet provider can use the login page for advertising and also to capture
customer information which is very useful for free internet systems.
Splash page (login display): Library
splash page designs are available for
download and customization. Splash
pages can be created by HTML
programmers: instructions and a HTML
template for creating a login page are
available. Multi-page login sequences
can be prepared to capture user
information.
Banner advertising: Banners can be
added to the splash page and
managed centrally.
Scratch cards: We stock popular
scratch cards. Customers can also
design branded scratch cards. Please
contact us for further information.
Splash page with customized graphics
Banner
advertising
Login box
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Technology Primer
User billing and authentication options
controlling Internet access
The Fire4 billing system provides several billing and authenticated access options for the
Internet service provider.
Credit card billing and scratch card sales through retail
stores are appropriate to provide Internet access in
locations such as airports or marinas. Customers can
resell our stock scratch cards or design custom scratch
cards. Hotels can print 1-day duration access codes to
give to guests.
Our billing system offers flexibility for many other types
of businesses.
For further information and a ‘scratch’ card sample
please email our sales department using the form on
our Web site contact page.
Sell pre-pay scratch card to customers wanting Internet access
Generate access codes for pre-pay sale to customers
Generate access codes for free authenticated access
Generate access codes for post-pay monthly billing
Charge customers for Internet using credit card payment
Dual mode: free metered speed plus charged premium access
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Technology Primer
User billing with credit cards
The Fire4 credit card billing system has gateways with
AUTHORIZE.NET and with PAYPAL®. The customer can add
credit card billing to the management system by providing a valid
account number for AUTHORIZE.NET or PAYPAL® and paying the
credit card billing setup fee. Fire4 does not have access to
payments received by Internet providers.
When credit card billing is activated the
Internet provider sells Internet access in
modules of time: five different time
modules are offered to the user.
The Internet provider determines the
charge for each time module at each
device.
When the user makes a successful
purchase using a credit card an access
code is issued for the time duration
purchased.
The Internet provider can log on to the
management console to see credit card
processing reports for each network
device.
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Technology Primer
Billing for bandwidth usage
Bandwidth usage is one of the parameters verified by the billing system. Access codes can
be generated with or without bandwidth control. If bandwidth control is selected then the
download and upload speeds in Kbytes/sec are specified.
This useful feature permits differential billing plans based on Internet usage. The billing
system also permits a free slow service with a faster charged service.
With this feature any business that offers free Internet access can reduce costs by reducing
the download and/or upload speeds for each user. Costs are reduced by downgrading the
Internet service: for example use a business DSL line instead of a T1 line to provide Internet
for guests.
Internet
NX1 Router
DSL/T1
Bandwidth limited free service
Unlimited bandwidth premium paid service
As an alternative the business can
maintain the T1 data circuit with a
bandwidth limited free service, but
charge users for a premium, full-
bandwidth service.
All Fire4 products include the
bandwidth control feature which is
activated by bandwidth controlled
access codes.
When access codes are generated
on the server, upload/download
speed is one of the options that can
be selected.
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Technology Primer
Network device failure monitoring
Internet providers and businesses selling Internet access must provide a reliable service. If
the service fails then users will complain and income will stop. Equipment may fail or the data
circuit to the equipment may drop and it is important that the problem is rectified quickly. The
Internet provider or hot spot operator must know about the failure quickly before users call in
to complain.
The Fire4 software provides a real-time warning to the network operator when the device or
circuit fails through a continuous monitoring process. Failure initiates a trouble ticket process
via email.
The Internet provider can
configure a failure warning for
each monitored device.
Device monitoring reduces the
downtime of the network and
improves the performance
towards a ‘carrier grade’ level.
The field tech needs only to
swap the failed device and
power it up. The configuration
file of each node can be backed
up and restored to the
replacement device which
simplifies the field service
procedure.
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Technology Primer
Remote management of network devices
Each network device that has Fire4 firmware
installed can be managed remotely. The Internet
provider log into the management account to
remotely manage devices.
Each device has an identical configuration file like
that shown in the figure. The configuration file can
be uploaded from a device and downloaded to a
device, both locally and remotely.
The configuration file of any access point or router
can be displayed and edited by the remote
network manager. After modification, the file is
sent to the device to implement the new
configuration.
Replacing a failed device is very easy: power up
the replacement device then download the
configuration file to the replacement device.
The remote management procedure permits the
design of redundant network configurations where
access points can be placed in a ‘hot standby’
mode. When the network manager identifies the
failure of a device that has a redundant
configuration then the hot standby can be
activated to ensure continuity of service.
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Technology Primer
Generation of reports
Reports have two functions. The first is to to analyze the node and group productivity, and
check if the return on investment goals are being met. Secondly, the Internet provider can
easily manage the business financials by inputting billing data into an accounting system.
Reports can be downloaded from the subscription server in comma separated value (CSV)
format suitable for reading as a data file by spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel.
CSV billing reports can also be read by accounting software such as Quickbooks.
Network device usage report Credit card billing report
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Technology Primer
Applications
The Fire4 billing software system is in use by many types of businesses that offer Internet to
the public.
Resorts: Customers manage Internet services for resorts throughout the Caribbean from
on central location
Trade shows: Wireless Internet for boots and also Internet access via kiosks for visitors
during a 1 day to 1 week event
Hotels: Internet in guest rooms, wireless Internet for conference areas and restaurants
and a business center. The service can be free for guests with a charge for visitors.
Marinas: Long range wireless equipment must cover a large area. Billing is via credit
cards and scratch cards, with access coded printed for mariners renting dockage.
Flea markets: Weekly or seasonal events where vendors rely on an authenticated
wireless Internet connection for their customer credit card billing
Bars and restaurants: Venues require only one wireless point however most want multi-
page login to collect customer information before free Internet access is provided
RV parks: Long range wireless coverage with both scratch card and credit card billing,
plus banner advertising for local vendors who offer services and products to RV’ers
Temporary events: Outdoor concerts, fashion shows and publicity events require
wireless internet services even though the duration of the event may be a few hours.
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Technology Primer
For more information …..
Products for public Internet networks:
Fire4 Systems Inc. – www.fire4.com
Tel: 305-558-8773
Hospitality industry public Internet solutions
Hospitality Internet Solutions – www.hospitality-internet.com
Tel: 305-394-6333